'Malaysia could become like Singapore, with non-Malay PM' - Tun M

PUTRAJAYA - In his latest attack on the government, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he fears that Malaysia will become just like Singapore after the 17th General Elections (GE17), as Malays were not dominating the nation's economy while their political power dwindled.

This, the new Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) advisor claimed, would offer no guarantee that the future Prime Minister would be a Malay.

The former Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) chairman also claimed the current government could also make changes to reduce the number of Malay constituencies and increasing the number of non-Malay constituencies in the coming elections.

"To some extent, this situation will change the pattern of the existing government in GE16 and the situation will become worse in GE17.

"There is no guarantee that the Prime Minister will be a Malay as anyone can be the Prime Minister. Even now, the Malay parties in the government are not in power and they are divided into three parties," he said.

He said this in a press conference after the end of the 'Bersama Tun M: Dialog Sepentas Perjuangan Yang Hilang?' programme at the Mini Townhall, Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana (YKP) here today.

The programme, held for the first time, had paired Dr Mahathir on stage with former Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president Datuk Zuraida Kamarudin and former Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar.

Dr Mahathir, who is also former Langkawi member of Parliament said that he believed the country would be mortgaged if the Malays are not careful in choosing a leader who truly fights for the Malays.

Thus, he urged the Malays to put aside their own interests and party to regain power in their homeland.

He insisted that the Malays need to prioritise the Malay's fight so they can determine their own fate in this country.

"Now, our fate is determined by others and we don't get what we want. There is no unity among the Malays now," he said.